How Important Is Your Vote?

Tuesday is an important mid-term election in the U.S. The results of some key races could shift the majority in the Senate from Democrat to Republican. A number of gubernatorial races are also taking place. State and local races and public questions are also on the ballot.

Christians must pay special attention to some basic issues regarding political involvement, especially as it relates to elections. Understanding these issues will affect the political behavior of each American citizen.

Following are excerpts from the article “Political Q&A” by David Virkler. These are questions that you or others may have asked. The answers may surprise you.

Q: What is the most important “political” verse in the Bible?

I believe the most important “political” verse is Luke 20:25, where Christ said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (see also Mark 12:17 and Matt. 22:21). He could have said to render just to Caesar, thereby endorsing a secular state, to render only to God indicating a theocracy, or to Caesar and God together indicating a church state. However, Christ said to render to each their due indicating that there is a difference between church and state. This is most closely approximated in the United States.

Q: Who or what is “Caesar” in the United States?

In Bible times, Caesar represented the highest political authority. In the United States, the highest political authority is the Constitution. Our constitution makes the people the government. In rendering to Caesar (the Constitution), we give to the common good through personal involvement.

Q: How many social institutions did God ordain?

There are three institutions ordained by God—the family (Genesis 2:21-24), the church (Acts 2) and government (Romans 13:1-7).

Q: Are civil servants ordained ministers?

Yes. In Romans 13, Paul says that “higher powers” are “ordained of God” (vs. 1) and a ruler is a “minister of God” (vs. 4).

Q: On what Bible verse is our three-part system of government based?

It is thought to be based on Isaiah 33:22, where the Lord is called “our judge” (judicial), “our lawgiver” (legislative) and “our king” (executive).

Q: Is it possible to be an American and not be involved in politics?

No. Everyone is involved in politics regardless of whether we vote. If we pay taxes, send children to public schools, drive on public roads, accept police protection, allow ministers to marry with state authority, accept government assistance or scholarships or say the Pledge of Allegiance, we are politically involved. If religious institutions grant state-authorized degrees, place the U.S. and Christian flags together in church or accept tax exemption, they, too, are politically involved.

Q: What are the general Biblical areas of political participation?

The Bible indicates four areas of involvement:

Precedent – God governed as dictator in Old Testament times. Daniel and Joseph rose to high positions in pagan governments. Jeremiah 29:7 enjoins prayer for the well-being of pagan societies that believers might be blessed.

Passive – This is outlined in the previous question.

Prayer – God’s Word commands that we pray “for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority” (I Timothy 2:1 & 2). “All men” is the electorate. “All that are in authority” includes any elected or appointed official, even those with whom we don’t agree.

Personal – Paul accepted and appealed to Roman protection as a Roman citizen (Acts 21:35) and as a means to evangelism in Europe (Acts 25:10-12).

Q: Does it really matter if Christians vote? Does a single vote count?

Yes! But even if it did not, obedience to God and “Caesar” dictates that we should register and vote.

In his 1981 inaugural address, Ronald Reagan declared, “I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.”

The prophet Ezekiel recounted how one person would have made a difference in God’s judgment of Israel. “And I (God) sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge and stand in the gap before me for the land that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads….” (Ezekiel 22:30, 31)

God thinks one person is important. Shouldn’t we?

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